The Truth comes in many forms: protest, song, theater, video, and storytelling. We refer to these truths as testimonies because we believe it’s time to regard our voices and our experiences as valid, dignified, and real. Truth Telling in this context does not lay claim to all truth but instead explores the multiple truths of those at the margins who are often silenced and overlooked. We hope these testimonies help nuance ideas of who these “criminals,” hashtags, and victims really were and really are. We also hope you listen with an open and honest heart.
Brother of Tamir Rice
Truth Teller Tavon Rice is the older brother of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot by a police officer from the Cleveland Police Department while playing with a toy gun. His story conveys how different people experience trauma and loss in their own way and touches on the role of community support.
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Brother of Cary Ball
Truth Teller Carlos Ball talks about the death of his second brother, Cary Ball Jr., who died in a brutal police shooting in St. Louis. Carlos’ testimony describes their close relationship. He addresses the difficulty in grieving a loved one and coping with police brutality while also trying to organize for change.
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Sister Andrew Joseph
Truth Teller Deja Joseph’s 14-year-old brother, Andrew, was removed from a state fair for helping a friend who was being detained by police. Andrew was dropped off by the officers on the side of a highway and was killed by a 19-year-old driver. A criminal report was not filed, nor were his parents informed of his death.
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Survivor of Police Shooting
Truth Teller Mya Aaten-White is a Howard University graduate and artist. She was shot in the head during a peaceful youth rally 3 days after Michael Brown Jr. was murdered in Ferguson. The bullet from her head was confiscated at the hospital after its removal, and two months passed before a police report was filed. Overlooked by the media and not acknowledged by the police, Mya’s story speaks to the power of truth and love as healing and as way to move toward the future.
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Youth Leader & Community Activist from the Ferguson Uprising
Truth Teller Dhoruba Shakur, a youth leader and community activist from Ferguson, took to the streets the day after the murder of Mike Brown Jr. Drawing from his position about gun ownership for protection and self defense, Dhoruba promotes educating black communities about their rights.
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Father of Michael Brown Jr.
Truth Teller Mike Brown Sr. is the father of Michael Brown Jr., the youth who was fatally shot by police officers in Ferguson, MO on August, 9, 2014. His son’s killing spawned a social and political movement against police brutality throughout the nation, including birthing a generation of social justice community activists who are working tirelessly for criminal justice reform and transformation.
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Social Justice Community Activist & Political Candidate
Truth Teller Pastor Cori Bush, an activist and nurse medic-turned-Congresswoman, underscores common Truth Teller themes of racism and its manifestation in police violence. She calls for solidarity among and between other communities of color who experience structural oppression and direct violence. From a place deep in her heart and from the depths of her voice, she brings the Truth Tellers together under the shelter of one common story.
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Mother of Cary Ball
Truth Teller Toni Taylor is the mother of 25 year-old Cary Ball Jr., who was shot 21 times by 2 St. Louis police officers following a high-speed pursuit for the infraction of tinted windows in his car. Per Toni’s testimony, Cary had a gun which he threw into the bushes following the chase. He was found on the ground with his arms in the “hands up” surrender position. Toni learned about her son’s death on TV rather than a direct call from police was unable to view her son at the morgue. Following the shooting, the 2 police officers returned to work on the force.
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Son of Kristine Kendrix
Truth Teller Gage Hendrix’s mother, Kristine Hendrix, was tased 3 times by St. Louis police officers at a peaceful protest about police brutality in Ferguson. Gage’s testimony illustrates bravery and courage, and his story illustrates a range of emotions young people experience when witnessing a parent stand up for truth.
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Daughter of Marlon Brown Sr.
Truth Teller Armani Brown talks about her father, who was shot by police. Her experience with her loving father differs from the perception police officers hold of Black men and also addresses how police brutality against other members of the Black community retriggers the original trauma of violence and loss.
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Sisters of Tavon Rice
Truth Tellers Trinity, Triniya, and Trineita Walker talk about their lives in the aftermath of their brother Michael Brown Jr.’s untimely death following a police shooting. Their story conveys the mental health consequences of violence and the power of community to provide healing spaces. Access to mental health care in all our communities is imperative. It’s our duty to listen. Click Here for Discussion & Activity Guide
Parents VonDerrit Meyers Jr.
Truth Tellers Rita and VonDerrit Myers Sr. lost their son, VonDerrit Myers Jr. two months after Michael Brown Jr. was shot. VonDerrit Myers Jr. was shot by police at least 8 times, including 6 times from behind. Their story illustrates patterns of police behavior that include targeting, mistreatment, and violence based on race. Rita’s and VonDerrit’s story addresses the need to build strong, unified solidarity amongst the diverse groups of the human family to combat police brutality and corruption against People of Color.
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Veteran, Life Partner was Killed by Police
Truth Teller Brandon Anderson shares how grief resulting from the shooting of his lifelong partner ignited his activism against police violence. Brandon was originally dishonorably discharged from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” when he informed his commanding officer that his life partner was murdered by police.
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Youth Activist from Ferguson
Truth Teller Valanah Smith became a youth activist engaged in the protests in Ferguson following the shooting Michael Brown Jr. Valanah was harassed and arrested by police for protesting. Her story illustrates how her passion for justice became the impetus for understanding racialized violence and social justice.
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Sister of Sandra Bland
Truth Teller Shante Needham is the sister of Sandra Bland. A high-profile case, Sandra was arrested and incarcerated for a traffic violation and died in prison custody under suspicious circumstances. Her family and those who knew her share a different story from police and prison accounts.
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Social Justice Activist, Survivor of Police Brutality
Truth Teller Kristine Hendrix tells the story of how a peaceful action against police brutality in Ferguson turned into violence. Kristine witnessed the arrest of protesters and recorded the mistreatment on a cell phone. She was tased 3 times by police officers and experienced the physiological and emotional effects of shock and trauma resulting from the tasing. Hear her story!
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Member of the Peace Keepers, a Ferguson Protest Group
Truth Teller Calvin ‘Cap’ Kennedy is an independently organized peacekeeper and activist who became involved in the protest movement after the shooting of Michael Brown Jr. He promotes the demilitarization of the police force.
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DIrected by Krystal Curley